FIGURES released by the Shenzhen Port Authority show that 6.1 million TEU passed through the port in the first half of the year, an increase of 32.12 per cent over the same period last year.

Since March, the port has handled a record one million TEU each month. And in June another record was set with a throughput of 1.14 million TEU.

The port authority also reported that Shenzhen handled a total of 63.321 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2004, up 24.32 per cent year-on-year.

During the six-month period, the Yantian port area handled 2.768 million TEU, up 19.73 per cent; Chiwan handled 1.173 million TEU, up 63.7 per cent; and Shekou 1.006 million TEU, up 58.26 per cent.

The authority said a growing number of container lines have increased their capacities and have decided to launch new services from Shenzhen.

Maersk, Cosco, APL, Zim and member lines of the New World Alliance have launched 10 new services from Shenzhen, boosting the number of international container services from the port to 116.

Shipping analysts estimate that Shenzhen will handle a total of 13 million TEU and 130 million tons of cargo this year